In the brief, UnitedHealth examined price variation among seven groups of common diagnostic tests: MRI, ultrasound, CT scan, pathology, microscopic examination, radioisotope scan and function studies, and mammography.
UnitedHealth found spending on the seven tests totaled $37.4 billion in 2017. The price difference paid by its UnitedHealthcare commercial health plans and their members varied up to 20-fold for more than 12.5 million diagnostic tests. For example, the price of an echocardiogram varied nine-fold across providers, from $210 to $1,830 in 2017.
“If the price variation of these diagnostic tests was reduced, consumers would have saved $18.5 billion in 2017,” according to UnitedHealth. “Reducing higher prices to amounts already agreed to by many providers can help lower the total cost of healthcare.”
For the full brief, click here.
More articles on payers:
Judge steps down from UnitedHealth case over ‘immoral’ denial of cancer treatment
House Democrats unveil Medicare expansion plan: 8 things to know
Humana posts $566M profit in Q1
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.